CLEARWATER, Fla. — Cameron Rupp had a .346 batting average with an .893 OPS in 26 at-bats this spring with the Phillies.

That followed him hitting .308 in 13 at-bats last September in Philadelphia.

It added up to a demotion Tuesday to minor-league camp.

So, excuse Rupp if he's not a happy camper.

"He's disappointed he didn't make the big-league roster," Triple-A manager Dave Brundage said. "I want guys to be disappointed for not making the big-league roster.

"That tells me they are hungry."

Rupp isn't the only one who, realistically, was hoping for a different ending to spring training, a different day to end camp, different travel partners heading north to a different city.

So, while 25 other guys are completing a two-game On Deck series in Philadelphia then boarding a plane for Texas for the major league season opener Monday against the Rangers, Rupp and a few other notable guys are stopping in the Lehigh Valley for a Triple-A media day, a bus ride to Reading for a game against the Double-A Fightins, then a bus ride to Pawtucket for the first game of the regular season Thursday.

Outfielder Clete Thomas spent parts of four seasons in the big leagues with the Twins and Tigers. He hit .200 in 20 at-bats this spring with the Phillies.

Fellow outfielder Dave Sappelt was up with the Reds and Cubs for parts of the previous three years.

Steve Susdorf, another outfielder, celebrated his 28th birthday at Friday's minor-league game at the Carpenter Complex. He got in three games in Philadelphia last season, but will be adding this year to the 195 games he's played the last two years at Lehigh Valley.

First baseman Cody Overbeck hasn't sniffed the majors despite playing 323 Triple-A games the last three years.

Those five guys are expected to be starting pieces for the IronPigs when the official roster is announced later today.

Each one is a professional. They understand the business. They will play hard for that call-up. They will do whatever they can to impress whoever they can, whether it is those in the Phillies organization or those from other major league clubs.

Each circumstance is different. Rupp, 25, has not spent more than one season at any level, steadily progressing since being the Phillies' third-round pick in 2010.

"He didn't get a lot of at-bats in big-league camp," Brundage said. "He had a great showing and did well in September.

"He just needed to get some at-bats and get some legs underneath [him]."

Thomas, Sappelt, Susdorf and Overbeck have reached Triple-A and spent more than one season there. The window isn't open as wide for those four, who will be at least 27 years old come June 5.

And, there are promising prospects at that their positions at the lower levels of the Phillies organization.

NEWS, NOTES

•The Phillies' Triple-A team dropped a 5-0 game to the Blue Jays in its final spring training game to finish at 5-6.

Anthony Gose, a former Phillies second-round pick, had three hits, including a triple, and three RBIs. Former Phillies catcher Erik Kratz had two hits.